Matt and Derek of the Kayak Centre of Rhode Island.
Wherever we paddle, we reconnect with old friends and meet new ones on the water. After our Ocean Skills Workshop, we spent a few hours surfing with Matt Bosgraaf, inventory manager for the Kayak Centre of Rhode Island, and Derek, who teaches courses for the Kayak Centre in the summer. Then we set out on a longer paddle with our friend Tim Motte, who coordinates a lot of paddles for the Rhode Island Canoe & Kayak Association.
Tim Motte, a BCU Five Star sea kayaker, at home in the rock gardens along the Rhode Island coast.
Tim helped us knit together several of the places we had paddled during the previous week, introducing us to features between and beyond them. This included what has been dubbed the “Jamestown Circumcision”–out from Fort Wetherill State Park, around Beavertail State Park, into Dutch Island Harbor, with a portage across a road and a beach before paddling back through Mackerel Cove to Fort Wetherill.
Alec rock gardening along the Jamestown coast.
It doesn’t take much swell to create exciting conditions along the shore and between offshore rocks.
Tim pops almost vertically as the water sucks him back between two rocks.
It’s all about timing, positioning, boat handling…and luck.
Sharon catches a ride over a rock.
We often talk about the value of “local knowledge”–the wisdom of people who are familiar with their own environment. Connecting with east coast paddlers is enabling us to gain a better understanding of the Rhode Island coastline much more quickly than would otherwise be possible.
Route planning before paddling out of Sakonnet Harbor with local friends.
On our final day in Rhode Island, we reconnected with several other friends from our visit last year: Lorrie and Phil from Boston, and Tim and John from Rhode Island. We set out from Sakonnet Harbor in the fog, finding our way with the help of navigation we had done on land before launching.
The rocky area off Sakonnet Point.
We were able to appreciate, once again, this spectacular area and the friends we’ve made here. We’re looking forward to returning next year.
Dynamic water off the Sakonnet Point.
Post-paddling caffeintation with our friends Phil and Lorrie Allen and Tim Motte.
